Mallorca, random pictures

sunset in Illetes

building in Palma

stained class in court house

This olive tree was 3.4 metric tons when it was moved seventeen years ago.
It is estimated to be 500-600 years old and is a symbol of peace and attachment to the island.

What is left of a windmill.
There are many around and they used to be used to draw water until the introduction of diesel engines. Now there is a movement to refurbish them for both historic and environmental reasons.

I was mildly tempted by the popcorn machine in the airport.
What I really wanted was for someone else to get some so I could watch!

Mallorca, day three

Our flight was not until 7:50 p.m. and we were able to negotiate a late check out so we had a lot of time on our last day.

  Our breakfast spot was in the historic part of town.

Some conservation work was being done, but it still looked good to us.

 The building on the right is part of the parliament.

 This is one entrance of the cathedral, where Gaudi worked from 1904-1914.

 This is also the site where Moorish immigrants had their mosque before it was razed. 

 After our historical stroll we gathered our beach items

and headed for Arenal, about a twenty-minute bus ride from Palma.

The water was warm, shallow, clear, and very calm.  There were a few other people and some people selling trinkets and offering massages.  By far the most common language was German and a lot of the stores had signs in German.  There is a four kilometer stretch to walk along and there is a little tram that goes back and forth.  While we saw an occasional car, the road was filled with cyclists and people strolling.

After we had our fill we caught the bus back to town, packed up, and took the bus to the airport. We were all very happy with our vacation spot and grateful for the fantastic weather.

Mallorca, day two

For better or for worse we were on vacation when the daylight savings time ended in Europe, which meant we got an extra hour, but it also meant it would be darker earlier in the day.

We were on time for the first part of our adventure, a train ride to Sóller 

following the same route through Serra de Tamuntana since 1912.

From Sóller we caught a tram, just like the first electrical tram on the island.

Port de Sóller was like a postcard!

From here we split up.  D. and A. rented bicycles and explored the mountains 

and I swam a bit before exploring on foot.

We all had amazing views!

It was good to reunite, but hard to leave town for the tram and train ride back to Palma.

Mallorca, part one

 

A. had a four-day weekend so it seemed like a good chance to travel.  With so many options it was hard to choose, but we finally decided a short trip would be better.  We looked at an overnight ferry to Mallorca, but it was more expensive and took a lot more time.  Instead we left at a reasonable time on Saturday and arrived in Palma in the middle of the afternoon.

Water and mountains - seems like we made a great choice.

Once we got the machine to take our money (it took nothing larger than a 10€ bill? not so tourist friendly) it was easy to take the bus from the airport to the center of town and from there we walked to our place.

Nothing exciting, but I liked this part of our view with the plants growing in the roof.

We headed back to the bus station and found the right one to visit Joan Miró's studios and collection,

just up the street from the summer home of the Spanish Royal Family.

I am embarrassed to say that I did not know they had changed their hours so we did not have a long visit.  On the other hand I didn't know it was their free day, either.  Take what you get!

Inside and 

outside the Sert Studio.

Inside Son Boter, his second studio.

And just one tiny part of the collection in the Moneo Building.

It worked out for the best because we were able to catch the same bus and go a bit farther from the Palma to the small town of Illetes.  Not much was happening there, but we enjoyed poking around before the sun set.

We caught the bus back to Palma, had the best roasted chestnuts yet, and were lucky to find a place to have a delicious dinner (lucky because it was only 8 p.m., but I think they adapt for tourists).

On the way home

We had a sweet ride back from vacation, although not on this plane.

We found this place for breakfast and

learned only a little about ensaïmadas, which are Mallorcan pastries that are usually
sweet but can be savory.  They are not for a holiday, but a treat anytime.

We saw several places at the Palma airport selling them.

It seemed like everybody in the waiting area had a package!
If you were not so far away I would have bought one for you!